Hippocrates 1: Ancient Medicine

by Hippocrates

Book by Hippocrates. Includes:
- On Ancient Medicine or Tradition in Medicine
- Epidemics I and III
- On Airs, Waters, and Places
- The Hippocratic Oath
- On Aliment or Nutriment
- Precepts

Genres: History, Medicine, Health, Science

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC) was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles, and was considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is referred to as the "father of medicine" in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field as the founder of the Hippocratic School of medicine. This intellectual school revolutionized medicine in ancient Greece, establishing it as a discipline distinct from other fields that it had traditionally been associated with (notably theurgy and philosophy), thus making medicine a profession.

However, the achievements of the writers of the Corpus, the practitioners of Hippocratic medicine, and the actions of Hippocrates himself are often commingled; thus very little is known about what Hippocrates actually thought, wrote, and did. Nevertheless, Hippocrates is commonly portrayed as the paragon of the ancient physician. In particular, he is credited with greatly advancing the systematic study of clinical medicine, summing up the medical knowledge of previous schools, and prescribing practices for physicians through the Hippocratic Oath and other works.

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good book that started with a good understanding of how ancient medicine was discovered and developed over time to increase the health of mankind by trial and error. Hippocrates stresses that our natural environment, specifically our diet should be the most important form of daily health.

One section that I really found fascinating was his discussion on how unfiltered wine gets everyone drunk, but cheese only negatively affects particular individuals. It is always comforting to me to see that even though thousands of years separates us, the human condition and experience is very similar in nature.

[Maritza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read! However, it was not the complete anthology that I was looking for. Nor is this a list of ingredients and uses.

[Nick Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting to view the development of medicine in ancient times. That said, it's slow going and filled with ideas that can make you beat yourself about the head, though that can hardly be blamed on the author.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile reading; recommended!